Colorado Passes One of Nation’s Most Sweeping Gun Bans

The law drastically limits the sale, transfer and acquisition of a wide swath of commonly owned semi-automatic firearms and is set to take effect on August 1, 2026. The law bans the sale and future transfer of many semi-automatic rifles, pistols and shotguns defined by features like detachable magazines, threaded barrels, folding stocks or pistol grips—essentially criminalizing the configuration of some of the most popular firearms used for home defense, sport shooting and hunting. While existing owners may retain their firearms, they’re barred from passing them on to family members or selling them in-state, effectively setting the stage for a slow-motion confiscation through attrition. NRA was quick to slam the measure as “a direct attack on the constitutional rights of Coloradoans,” while the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) called it “unconstitutional,” warning that it punishes law-abiding gun owners while doing nothing to stop criminals. Despite the bill’s passage, critics argue it is both overly broad and legally vulnerable, with lawsuits already expected. The courts will undoubtedly have a say on the future of this ban, so despite Polis’s signature, the law is still far from a done deal.